Norfolk Southern TC10 #101 working out of its frequent home base, Oakwood Yard, in Melvindale, Michigan. NN Collection. November 1990.
The TC10 Locomotives were unique to the Norfolk Southern, as they were rebuilt into this new model specifically by the Norfolk Southern Railroad itself. Over a time period from 1984 to 1986, the Norfolk Southern Roanoke Shops selected 5 GP9 locomotives of Norfolk and Western heritage to be rebuilt into modified road switchers. These 5 units were all repowered by a 1050HP Caterpillar prime mover. The new units were dubbed "TC10s," an upgrade from the original GP9 designation, but not true authentic EMD power as a Caterpillar prime mover replaced the original big GM. Also added were standard high hood EMD cabs (slanted sides) to units 101-104, while unit 100 retained its original GP9 rounded-roof cab. All units recieved a "hump" on the roof as seen in the photo, to allow ventilation for the new foreign motor. Features kept unique to GP9s were: trucks, hood lights, vertical headlights, and the basic body frame. The TC10s served approximately fifteen years on Norfolk Southern as "TC10" model yard switchers (after their years as GP9s on the Norfolk and Western) before being sold off to various leasers. The last NS TC10 #104 was sold in late 1999.
The Roanoke Shops have done much work rebuilding and modifying NS Locomotives over the years; other work includes 10 SD9s to SD9M rebuilds and many various slugs. However, the newly acquired Conrail Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA are now becoming the popular rebuild shops these days. Recently rebuilt for the second time were NS SD9Ms 50-59, in the shops for major overhauls. Hopefully Norfolk Southern can keep older heritage equipment out and about by the fine works of their very own "recycling" shops. GP9s on CSX were simply canned in the mid-80s wheras NS rebuilt a few. So long TC10s, a thrifty extension to the life of older EMDs.
-Michael Koprowicz & Nathan Nietering
During the early 1990s, numbers 101-103 were based at Norfolk Southern's Melvindale Oakwood Yard near Detroit. Numbers 100 and 104 may also have been based there, but I never remember seeing them. Thanks to my dad, Ken Nietering, for taking these now valuable photos and encouraging my interest in trains when I was younger. -NN
More TC-10 Photos
TC-10 rebuild number 103 shuffles around the west end of Melvindale, Michigan's large Oakwood Yard to find another cut of cars to switch. Photo dated August 1990. Nathan Nietering Collection
A pair of the then-common TC10 switchers work cars at the west end of Oakwood Yard in Melvindale, MI. Photo dated August 1990. Nathan Nietering Collection
Norfolk Southern TC10 switcher #102 switches cars at the west end of Oakwood Yard, in Melvindale, MI. This image is dated August 1990. Nathan Nietering Collection
And Today's Version...
Shot on black-and-white Kodak TRI-X film for comparison purposes, Norfolk Southern GP38-2 #5252, a high hood former CNO&TP unit, switches cars at the west end of Oakwood Yard in Melvindale, MI. This yard job is today often operated with remote control, as evidenced by the strobe lights atop the cab roof. November 18, 2002. NN photo
